Firefighters on Tuesday morning secured fireline and began to mop-up at the site of the Sidehill Fire near Kixmiller Summit, about two miles west of Pony Springs in Lincoln County. Full containment of the approximately 30-acre fire was anticipated by late that afternoon. Mop-up was expected to continue for about two more days.
“We’re being extra diligent due to the proximity of homes in the area,” Ray Maestes, BLM Ely District assistant fire management officer, said. Maestes credited the coordination between federal, state and local agencies, as well as the availability of resources, for catching the fire so quickly.
At its height, seven engines, a helicopter, three Single Engine Air Tankers, a bulldozer, water tender, and two Type 2 Nevada Division of Forestry hand crews, as well as members of the Pioche Volunteer Fire Department, Lincoln County Fire Protection District and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were directly engaged in or supporting the firefighting effort. Five engines, the two hand crews and one water tender remain on scene today. Public and firefighter safety are still the top priority.
The fire was first reported at about 5 p.m., yesterday. It was ignited by a car fire and fueled by pinion-pine and juniper, and sagebrush.
For timely information on significant wildfires in the BLM Ely District, contact Fire Information Officer Chris Hanefeld at (775) 289-1842 or chanefel@blm.gov or go to Eastern Nevada Interagency Fire at https://www.facebook.com/ElyFire.
